Squalicum, Burlington-Edison game highlights Week 5

Video: Week 5 picks for Whatcom County prep football games

Sports writers Andrew Lang (@andyde44) and Joshua Hart (@JTHart23) discuss this week's top prep football games including Squalicum, Mount Baker, Meridian and Blaine and give picks for all of this week's Whatcom County teams.
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Sports writers Andrew Lang (@andyde44) and Joshua Hart (@JTHart23) discuss this week's top prep football games including Squalicum, Mount Baker, Meridian and Blaine and give picks for all of this week's Whatcom County teams.
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Squalicum (4-0, 2-0 NWC) at Burlington-Edison (3-1, 1-1 NWC)

Time: 7 p.m.

Site: Burlington-Edison High School

Storm update: Squalicum scored three touchdowns during a seven-minute, second-quarter span and held off Sedro-Woolley late to earn a 42-30 Northwest Conference win last week. Garrett Sorenson completed 14 of 21 passes for 231 yards and three TDs. Ben Peterson had a receiving touchdown and ran back a game-clinching fumble for a touchdown in the game’s closing seconds.

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Tigers update: Burlington-Edison found running room tough to come by last week against Ferndale and took a 20-10 Northwest Conference home loss. The Tigers accumulated only 87 yards on 27 carries, and Hunter Anderson completed 12 of 31 passes for 142 yards and threw an INT.

Key to the game: Burlington-Edison has one of the better defenses in the league, giving up only 8.5 points per game. If Squalicum can get its offense moving like last week, the Storm’s defense can keep the Tigers’ defense at bay.

Player to watch: Noah Westerhoff has been a pleasant addition to the varsity roster, making plays at receiver and as a starting corner. Look for him to get tested against the Tigers’ passing attack.

Prediction: Squalicum 35-20

Lynden (2-2, 1-1 NWC) at Sehome (2-2, 1-1 NWC)

Time: 7 p.m.

Site: Civic Stadium

Lions update: Lynden got back to its winning ways last week, earning a 52-20 NWC win on the road against Anacortes. Noah King ran back the opening kickoff for a touchdown and scored again on a pass reception. Sterling Somers looked great after exiting early the week before due to injury. The senior completed 13 of 15 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns.

Mariners update: Sehome’s rushing attack didn’t have the same success it had a week prior against Anacortes, and the Mariners took a 37-7 NWC road loss to Blaine last week. Kevin Sun led the way with 72 rush yards on 21 attempts, and fill-in quarterback Max Diehl completed 9 of 15 passes for 53 yards and an INT.

Key to the game: The Mariners are going to run the football, and the Lions looked a lot better last week defending the run. If Lynden can play tough inside, it has the firepower on offense to roll.

Player to watch: Look for Dalton Ohligschlager to have a big day on defense at linebacker. Lynden will need him at his best.

Prediction: Lynden 28-10

Anacortes (0-4, 0-2 NWC) at Ferndale (3-1, 2-0 NWC)

Time: 7 p.m.

Site: Ferndale High School

Seahawks update: Anacortes hung with Lynden for a little more than a quarter, but the Seahawks just couldn’t keep up with the Lions and took a 52-20 NWC home loss last week. Camden McLaughlin completed 12 of 19 passes for 161 yards and a score, and wide receiver Griffin Overa caught seven passes for 132 yards and a TD.

Golden Eagles update: Ferndale turned to bruiser Austin Honeycutt to provide the punch in the Golden Eagles’ running game last week. Honeycutt ran for 196 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries to help Ferndale come away with a 20-10 NWC win over Burlington.

Key to the game: With Anacortes yielding 325 rush yards to Sehome two weeks ago, this one has the making off a blowout. Look for Ferndale to pound the ball early and often.

Player to watch: Expect linebacker Jake Leavitt to be very active and make some big plays on defense this week.

Lyncs update: LC’s offense struggled against Meridian last week, and the Lyncs took a 40-13 NWC home loss. David Bladies led LC with 64 yards and a TD on 21 carries, and Lucas Roetcisoender completed 7 of 14 passes for 106 yards, a TD and two INTs.

Key to the game: Lynden Christian’s defensive backs will need to be ready for all of Nooksack Valley’s passing. If LC does so, they could earn a league win.

Player to watch: Colby Flint will be one of those LC secondary players that will need to make some plays against the Pioneers.

Prediction: Lynden Christian 35-27

Mount Baker (3-1, 1-0 NWC) at Meridian (2-2, 1-0 NWC)

Time: 7 p.m.

Site: Meridian High School

Mountaineers update: Running back Jed Schleimer set a state record last week, rushing for 521 yards and six touchdowns to help Baker beat Nooksack Valley 64-30 in a NWC home game. In all, the Mountaineers racked up 671 ground yards against the Pioneers. The team’s only pass completion was a 31-yard touchdown.

Trojans update: Nick Dritsas had a huge night for Meridian, rushing for 101 yards and three TDs while compiling 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns to help the Trojans earn a 40-13 NWC road win against Lynden Christian. QB Simon Burkett completed 9 of 15 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

Key to the game: After last week, surely Meridian will be keying on No. 4, Jed Schleimer. The Trojans will look to slow down Baker’s rushing attack and do their best to take away the NWC’s leading rusher.

Player to watch: Look for defensive lineman Brenten Fox to clog some holes and slow Mount Baker’s run game down.

Prediction: Mount Baker 31-24

Blaine (3-1, 1-1 NWC) at Sedro-Woolley (2-2, 0-2 NWC)

Time: 7 p.m.

Site: Sedro-Woolley

Borderites update: Blaine’s defense limited Sehome to 178 total yards and mixed the run and pass well to earn a 37-7 NWC home win over Sehome last week. Riley Fritsch ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, and league leader Jalen Kortlever completed 14 of 28 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Ball and Josh Fakkema each caught TD passes.

Cubs update: The defending Class 2A state champs took their second straight NWC defeat last week, falling to Squalicum on the road 42-30. A late turnover during a potential game-winning drive sealed the Cubs’ fate. Woolley was led by Quinn Carpenter’s 75 rush yards, and QB Devin Willard completed 16 of 26 passes for 166 yards, two TDs and an interception.

Key to the game: Blaine’s defense is very talented, but Sedro-Woolley coach Dave Ward is creative with his offensive scheme. The Borderites must trust their eyes and stay disciplined against the Cubs’ run game this week. And look out for that shovel pass near the goal line.

Player to watch: Look for linebacker Josh Fakkema to make some big plays on defense. The Borderites will need him to.

Prediction: Sedro-Woolley 28-21

Bellingham (1-3) at Friday Harbor (0-3)

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Site: Friday Harbor High School

Red Raiders update: Running back Isiah Harrington ran for 260 yards and four touchdowns and Ethan Fields recorded three interceptions to help Bellingham earn a 42-27 home win over Charles Wright Academy last week. QB Nick Knutson completed 8 of 11 passes for 131 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown to Zach Lorenz. The Red Raiders’ defense was shaky. It yielded 369 passing yards and 179 rushing yards.

Wolverines update: Friday Harbor found itself trailing 42-0 at halftime last week against La Conner and took a 56-14 loss. The Wolverines are 0-3 and have lost their three games by a combined score of 121-28.

Key to the game: Bellingham’s offense looked great last week, with an exception to some penalties. But the Red Raiders need to limit the big plays on defense and sew up its secondary. If Bellingham can play better on defense, it should come away with its second win in as many weeks.

Player to watch: Sophomore running back Isiah Harrington assembled a breakout performance last week. He’s ran for a combined 366 yards in the past two games and could be in line for another big effort.

Prediction: Bellingham 35-14

Lummi (2-1) at Clallam Bay (2-2)

Time: 5 p.m.

Site: Clallam Bay High School

Blackhawks update: Lummi’s inexperience hurt the Blackhawks as they took a 40-26 loss to Entiat last week. Lummi suited 16 players, and coach Jim Sandusky said the team was forced to play a lot of young players both ways.

Bruins update: Clallam Bay won by forfeit last week to Muckleshoot Tribal. The previous week the Bruins suffered a 50-30 loss to Quilcene.

Key to the game: Lummi’s quarterback protection suffered last week. If the Blackhawks can shore up their line, they should come out with a win.

Player to watch: James Williams impressed last week. Look for more from him against Clallam Bay.